Inventory is loosening up across both markets this summer, giving buyers a bit more breathing room after a tight start to the year.

In Santa Barbara, active listings climbed to 213 in July, up from a January low of 185 — though still well below last August's 268. The pace of sales remains brisk, with homes spending an average of just 36.6 days on market in July, one of the faster stretches we've seen this year.

Montecito tells a similar inventory story on a smaller scale: active listings rose to 53 in July, up nearly 56% from January's low of 34, alongside a healthy uptick in new listings hitting the market. Days on market averaged 74.4 in July — longer than Santa Barbara, which is typical for the luxury segment where buyers take more time, but a sharp improvement from the 166-day average seen back in April.

For buyers, more inventory means more choice and slightly less competitive pressure than earlier in the year. For sellers, well-priced homes are still moving at a healthy clip, especially in Santa Barbara proper.

If you're weighing a move in either market, Brandon Veltri can walk you through what these trends mean for your specific goals — reach out anytime.